Unsteady Flow Analysis Using HEC-RAS

Objectives

This course is intended to provide participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize the HEC-
RAS software to analyze hydraulic conditions that require one-dimensional unsteady flow modeling.

Topics include: River mechanics and the unsteady flow equations; using HEC-DSS data with
HEC-RAS; overview of unsteady flow modeling; data requirements for unsteady flow models; boundary
and initial conditions; overview of model output; modeling bridges and culverts; inline and lateral hydraulic
structures; storage areas and storage area connections; model calibration; model stability, accuracy, and
sensitivity; trouble shooting; modeling urban areas; and advanced features for unsteady flow (mixed flow
regime, pump stations, dam and levee breaching).

Prerequisites

Participants must have a good background in open channel hydraulics and be familiar with the
HEC-RAS software. Basic HEC-RAS input and output data requirements will not be covered in this
class. It will be assumed that you already know how to use the software for performing a steady flow
analysis. Familiarity with the unsteady flow equations and numerical solution techniques is desirable.
Participants should be in positions requiring them to perform complex hydraulic analysis.

1
Monday

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. INTRODUCTIONS, OVERVIEW, AND PRE-TEST

9:00 - 9:20 a.m. BREAK

9:20 - 10:30 a.m. 1.1 Lecture: RIVER MECHANICS AND INTRO TO UNSTEADY FLOW
EQUATIONS

Description and comparisons of various types of flow (e.g., 1-D, 2-D, steady,
unsteady, etc.). Introduction to the unsteady flow equations and solution
techniques.

10:40 - 11:45 a.m. 1.2 Lecture: OVERVIEW OF UNSTEADY FLOW MODELING WITH
HEC-RAS

Overview of HEC-RAS capabilities for modeling unsteady flow. Discussions of

relevant input and output.

11:45 - 1:00 p.m. ICE BREAKER LUNCH

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 1.3 Lecture: USING HEC-DSS DATA WITH HEC-RAS

Discussions of the basic concepts of HEC-DSS; getting data into a DSS file;
reading data from DSS; writing results to DSS; and viewing data stored in DSS.

2:00 - 2:15 p.m. BREAK

2:15 - 3:15 p.m. 1.4 Lecture DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR UNSTEADY FLOW
MODELS

Types of data required, sources and availability. Limitations and flexibility of

HEC-RAS with regard to data. Focus on preparing geometric data (cross
sections) and processing that data with the HEC-RAS Pre-Processor (HTAB).

3:15 - 4:30 p.m. 1.5 Workshop: PRE-PROCESSING GEOMETRIC DATA

This workshop will be used to learn how to set cross-sectional table properties;
pre-process the cross sections into tables of elevation versus conveyance, area,
and storage; and to review the output from the pre-processor.

4:30 - 5:00 p.m. REVIEW: Workshop 1.5

2
Tuesday

8:00 - 9:15 a.m. 2.1 Lecture: BOUNDARY AND INITIAL CONDITIONS

Description of the various types of unsteady flow boundary conditions needed

and available within HEC-RAS. Discussion of initial conditions and how to
establish them.

9:15 - 9:30 a.m. BREAK

9:30 -10:30 a.m. 2.2 Lecture: OVERVIEW OF MODEL OUTPUT

Overview of available output from unsteady flow modeling. Discussions of

optional output and how to obtain it.

10:30 - 12:00 noon 2.3 Workshop: BASIC UNSTEADY FLOW MODELING

Students will learn how enter the necessary data; run the pre-processor, perform
the unsteady flow calculations; and review the results of an unsteady flow model.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. REVIEW: Workshop 2.3

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. 2.4 Lecture: MODELING BRIDGES AND CULVERTS

Overview of input data for bridges and culverts. Entering hydraulic table
parameters for bridges and culverts. Reviewing pre-processor output and
unsteady flow output for bridges and culverts.

2:30 - 4:30 p.m. 2.5 Workshop: MODELING BRIDGES AND CULVERTS

3
Wednesday

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. REVIEW: Workshop 2.5

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. 3.1 Lecture: INLINE AND LATERAL HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES

Discussions of modeling inline and lateral hydraulic structures. Entering spillway

and weir data, lateral culverts, and rating curves. Connecting lateral structures to
storage areas and other reaches. Controlling gate settings. Reviewing output for
inline and lateral structures.

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. BREAK

9:45 - 10:30 a.m. 3.2 Lecture: STORAGE AREAS AND STORAGE AREA
CONNECTIONS

The purpose of storage areas and how to model them. Connecting storage
areas to other storage areas using storage area connections. Input and output
for storage areas and storage area connections.

10:30 - 12:00 noon 3.3 Workshop: LATERAL HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES, STORAGE

AREAS, AND STORAGE AREA CONNECTIONS.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 - 1:30 p.m. 3.3 Workshop Continued

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. REVIEW Workshop 3.3

2:00 - 2:15 p.m. BREAK

2:15 - 3:15 p.m. 3.4 Lecture: CALIBRATION OF UNSTEADY FLOW MODELS

Interpretation, use, and reliability of field data. Which parameters to calibrate and
adjust, problems and solutions. Calibration for large alluvial streams.

3:15 - 5:00 p.m. 3.5 Workshop: CALIBRATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI - OHIO RIVER

Students will learn how to adjust model parameters to replicate water surface
elevations, discharges, and travel times.

4
Thursday

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. REVIEW: Workshops 3.5

8:30 - 9:45 a.m. 4.1 Lecture: Common Model Stability Problems

Cross-section spacing. Selection of model computational time step. Controlling

iterations, tolerances, and other model stability factors. Understanding model
sensitivity and the parameters that are most significant.

9:45 - 10:00 a.m. BREAK

10:00 - 10:45 a.m. 4.2 Lecture: Detecting and Fixing Model Stability Problems

Detecting stability problems. Discussions will include how to turn on and review
detailed log output from the unsteady flow model run.

10:45 – 12:00 noon 4.3 Workshop TROUBLE SHOOTING

Students will learn how to detect and fix model stability problems.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 - 1:30 p.m. 4.3 Workshop - Continued

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. REVIEW: Workshop 4.2

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 4.4 Lecture ADVANCED FEATURES FOR UNSTEADY FLOW

This lecture will cover how to model mixed flow regime situations, pump stations,
dam break analysis, levee breaching, and Pressurized Pipe modeling.

3:30 – 5:00 p.m. 4.5 Workshop DAM AND LEVEE BREACHING

Students will learn how to use HEC-RAS to perform a dam breaching analysis,
as well as a levee breaching analysis.

5
Friday

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. REVIEW: Workshops 4.5

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. 4.4 Lecture: INTRODUCTION TO THE RULES EDITOR

This lecture will introduce students to using the rules editor for controlling gates
at Inline and lateral structures, as well as storage area connections. Other uses
for the rules editor will also be introduced.

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. BREAK

9:45 – 10:15 a.m. 4.4 Interactive Demonstration: RULES EDITOR

A student interactive demonstration of the use of rules will be given.